LIW Economic Impact Study
In 2007, Light in Winter collaborated with Jessica Daniels, a city and regional planner, to produce a comprehensive case study of the economic, social and cultural impact of the Light in Winter Festival, one of the country's only festivals of science and the arts. The economic impact study points out how small festivals can have big economic impacts on their host communities and the region.
Based on the results of a survey conducted over the festival weekend and local tourism expenditure data, the total economic impact of the 2007 Light in Winter festival was approximately $321,000. By capitalizing on local intellectual resources, Light in Winter creates additional demand among local businesses and entrepreneurs. Intended as a strategy to increase winter tourism in Tompkins County, Light in Winter has grown into an imaging element for the region. Policy recommendations based on outcomes of the economic impact study provide insight into the affect that advertising, organizing, and community efforts have made in the region. Conclusions based on the economic impact study will also assist in the evaluation, future programming and marketing efforts of Light in Winter, emphasizing its role as a link in the cultural chain of Tompkins County's creative economy.
